As two talented biochemistry students and close friends, Laurent Bonomo and
Gabriel Ferez had come to London to develop their skills as specialists in
infectious disease and environmental engineering.
Instead the two became the victims of an attack that, even by the standards of
a city battling against the blight of knife crime, is among the most
horrific in living memory.
The bodies of Mr Bonomo and Mr Ferez, both 23, were found late on Sunday
evening, bound, gagged and with hundreds of stab wounds and other injuries.
They had been tortured and beaten repeatedly with a blunt instrument.
Yesterday officers described the killings, which took place in Mr Bonomo’s
flat in southeast London, as the most vicious they had seen.
Mr Bonomo, a student in the proteins that cause infectious disease, had been
stabbed 196 times, with up to half the wounds inflicted after he was dead.
Mr Ferez, who hoped to become an expert in ecofriendly fuels, had 47
separate injuries.
Police said that their ordeal had lasted a considerable time before the flat,
and possibly the bodies, were covered in accelerant and set alight.
“This was a frenzied, brutal and horrific attack - I have never seen injuries
inflicted to bodies like this before,” Detective Chief Inspector Mick
Duthie, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said yesterday as he
called for public help in finding the killer, or killers.
“Everyone working on this case, including myself, senior detectives and
support staff, has been deeply shocked by what we have seen.”
Officers admitted yesterday that they were at a loss to explain so
incomprehensible a crime. Theories include a burglary gone wrong, a
ritualistic killing or a case of mistaken identity. All police could confirm
was that it was not suspected of being a professional hit, simply on the
ground of the sheer, extraordinary, brutality of the killings.
Residents living near the smart block of flats in New Cross, in a cul-de-sac
known to be less intimidiating than some surrounding neighbourhoods, said
last night that they could not come to terms with what had happened. One
said she had sent her eight-year-old daughter to stay with friends.
“We are so petrified, we don’t know what to do,” said a woman who would give
her name only as Veronica. “You couldn’t imagine it. My daughter is simply
too scared to stay at home.”
Neighbours said that they had initially believed there had been a fire, and
had shouted inside the building in case there was anyone trapped. “When we
heard no response, we presumed no one was there,” one said. “It’s just so
shocking.”
Mr Bonomo and Mr Ferez were in their second year of masters degrees at the
Clermont-Ferrand Polytech in the Auvergne region of central France, home to
the country’s most promising young scientists. Both had been selected for
the Undergraduate Opportunities for Research Programme, a three-month
project on DNA, in the life sciences department at Imperial College.
Mr Bonomo, from the medieval town of Velaux, near Aixen-Provence, was
described as a dedicated research scientist. A brilliant chess player and
keen tennis fan, he was engaged to be married. A former president of the
student union, Mr Bonomo had campaigned to reduce binge drinking.
Mr Ferez was known as an exceptional polymath and one of the brightest
students in his year. He had already been awarded a place on a chemistry
masters course at a university in Amiens, a gateway to a doctorate in his
specialism. A fan of history, tennis and rock music, Mr Ferez had also
worked as a technician at the Phillipe Pinel Hospital in Amiens.
Stephen Matthews, Mr Bonomo’s supervisor at Imperial, paid tribute to the two
men yesterday. He said that their tightly knit research team was in total
shock. “They were both very likeable chaps. Laurent was particularly mature,
well-rounded and liked by the other students in his group,” he said. “It is
inconceivable that anybody could have a vendetta against him.”
Professor Matthews said that Mr Bonomo was frequently the first researcher in
the laboratory in the morning, while Mr Ferez’s lecturer praised his grasp
of a wide range of complex subjects.
They said that both students spoke excellent English and, with a shared love
of travelling, had come to London to broaden their horizens and improve
their research skills.
The two, who arrived in the capital at the beginning of May, were due to
return to their homes and families at the end of the month. Instead the
Bomono and Ferez families yesterday flew to London to identify the badly
burnt bodies formally.
Sir Roy Anderson, Imperial’s Rector, said: “Laurent and Gabriel had bright
futures ahead of them and it is dreadful that their lives should end so
soon. I would also like to offer my support to the Imperial community as we
mourn the loss of two young members.”
Addressing a press conference at Scotland Yard, Mr Duthie admitted yesterday
that his team had no leads as to why the two visitors, who had never been in
trouble with the police in France or England, had been targeted.
One strong line of inquiry is a break-in at the flat six days before the
murder. Detectives are exploring whether the burglar, who escaped with Mr
Bonomo’s laptop, may have returned, possibly with a set of keys, allowing
him to enter the building undetected and surprise the men.
Officers added that it remained unclear whether both men were in the flat at
the same time. They said that Mr Bonomo may have opened the door, thinking
his friend was there, and had then been overpowered. Mr Ferez, who was also
living in South London, might then have been attacked when he arrived at the
door, giving one possible explanation as to how one person might be able to
subdue two fit young men.
It is thought that one or both of the students were playing computer games
when they were attacked. One sighting has so far been reported of a white
man running from the flat after the fire started.
Officers are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to see if the pair were
drugged. Mr Duthie said that forensic examinations at the “extremely complex
scene” were also continuing.
“Yesterday I had to spell out the heartbreaking details to the grief-stricken
families about the way their sons died. One victim was stabbed more than 100
times,” the officer said.
“I do not know why they were killed or who killed them but I believe the
person or persons responsible would have been blood-stained as a result. I
need to build up a picture of the two young men and what they were doing in
the hours leading up to their murder.”
Mr Duthie said that police knew that Mr Bonomo had spoken to his fiancée at
1am on the day of his death, but had little further details of the men’s
last hours. He appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious to contact
police.
Facts and theories
What we know
- Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, French bioengineering students, were on a
three-month exchange from Clermont-Ferrand, France, to Imperial College,
London
- The two, both 23, arrived in May. Mr Bonomo rented the one-bedroom flat in
Sterling Gardens, New Cross. They were due to return to France this month
- Mr Ferez, a friend, was visiting and they appear to have been playing
computer games when the attack took place The flat had been burgled six
days before and Mr Bonomo’s laptop stolen. The theft was reported to police
- Both students were bound and tortured. They were stabbed in the head, neck,
back and torso
- A fire accelerant was sprayed around the flat, which was set alight after
the assault. There were no signs of forced entry
- Neighbours heard several loud bangs. A woman who lives opposite says she saw
two men in hats banging on the windows
- A white male seen running away is currently the only suspect
The unanswered questions
- What was the killer or killers’ motivation? The strongest line is that it
was a burglar returning to the scene
- Who were they? At the moment the police have no idea who the assailant or
assailants were although witnesses reported seeing a the man running away
- Could it be a case of mistaken identity? Police are looking at who used to
live in the flat to check for connections to criminal activity
- Were the students deliberately targeted? There is nothing to suggest they
were involved in crime. Neither had been in trouble with the police before.
It is possible that the killing could be linked to their life in France but
they were unknown to French police
- Why the high level of violence? It could be the killer or killers were on
drugs or were psychopaths. David Holmes, a senior lecturer at Manchester
Metropolitan University, said they may have been victims of a “demonstration
killing”, designed to send out a warped message. Officers are also looking
to see if it was a ritualistic killing
I lived for 2 years in London, and had many friends living there ten years ago, a couple, who were my friends, lived in New Cross and they had their house broken into twice.
New Cross has always been a violent place, there should be more police force around the area, definitely.
luciana, rio de janeiro,
When they they were stabbed so many times, surely the culprit left footprints of blood, if he did not this would be strange
and to say no one heard anything is also strange
Margaret, rotherham, UK
France has experienced the highs and lows this week. Firstly the magnificent release of Mrs Betancourt, then this awful crime. Apologies, but crimes such as this make one embarrassed to be British. As usual the British are too complacent and allow matters to get out of control before dealing with it
Sean G Halliday, Farnham, UK
All we can do at this dreadful time is to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of these two brilliant young men for their tragic loss. But we should also remember this type of crime is very rare indeed and not confined to England. "Man's inhumanity to man" can happen anywhere.
robert sandall, london, england
While i obviously do not like to see teenagers mindlessly killed in our capital, l must stress that we need to take a deep breath and not panic.
This is a moral, or more specifically a MEDIA panic. Crime rates have not increased that much, what has gone up, is the speed at which we report crime.
Terry Hayden, Bedford, UK
Killings this brutal usually have multiple reasons. It's true that tons of microbiologists have been killed in recent years because when the man made pandemics that lots of current sci-fi movies and the news are telling us will come, they will be needed to identify and innoculate.
Suse, waco, usa
I think the police show signs of weakness by saying that they are shocked by the attack.They can only boost the killer's confidence by saying that.I'm sure that for a killer there is no better reward but to characterize their crime as shocking, just get into their mentality for a min & you'll see
Stephanos, London,
Here you have two persons murders, tortured by a sadistic killer. A person with a twisted mind, by a mind being absorbed by watching films of others being given untold pain, and suffering. In the mind of such a person their is no reasoning except their own.
victor arram, westcliff,
Note that UK murder rate is roughly the same as other European countries' and London's murder rate is still 1/3rd of New York's, even though things have improved so much in the US. Stop the hysterical claims that the UK is some sort of war zone. This is an isolated, horrific tragedy. Nothing more.
Ted, London, UK
Two bright young men have been lost to the worl through a senseless and violent crime. Wish the Govt really would go back to basics and start punishing criminals properly so that punishment starts to work as a deterrent again - law abiding citizens should have the right to feel safe in their homes
Mike, Southampton,
My most heartfelt condolences to the two French families and friends of these two young men, who had such bright futures ahead of them. Whoever committed this terrible crime I hope will soon be in police custody and given the most severe punishment possible.
Liz, Altrincham,
This is awful and sickening. Random stabbings in the street are tragic - but if this is random - getting into the house, a frenzied attack then trying to burn the evidence. Mon dieu.
Something, don't know what, tells me the boys may have known their attacker.
Robert, Rennes, France
Anyone else feeling the irony of someone who lives in Waco saying he has never experienced any violence since leaving England? Um - there was a small siege there not so long ago where 10 people were shot and killed and a further 76 burnt to death. Lets all move there - much safer than London...
Helen, Liverpool,
I think of their parents...
Your Policemen have a lot of courage.
Jacqueline. France
jacqueline, Paris, France
The students were killed at home, not in the street. They were students, not rich, so the killers aren't thieves. They were young, nice, students, exotic (French), may be they gave parties and at home there were girls, boys, and music...The police should investigate around the flat.
lisa, milan, italy
So a woman opposite saw two men 'banging on the window' - yet did nothing. How many times have we read similar: people hearing screams or shouts and also doing nothing. If more people called the police when witnessing something out of the ordinary it might save others. 999 isn't difficult.
Roy David, Deal, Kent, UK
196 times and then sets fire to the flat. That is very personal. The murderer would have felt shamed by the victim in some way.
Chris, San Francisco, California
"My daughter is simply too scared to stay at home." Too scared to stay at home, too scared to walk the streets. Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.
Mike, Bristol,
it is unbelievable that this terrible thing can happen in so beautifll country!
oh, my mother!
jammy, Ningbo, CHINA
The tragic truth is that nothing, neither a life sentence nor the death penalty, would ever avenge the horrible and vicious deaths of these men
Anna, London,
How many innocents have to die because the lefties fear one in a hundred may be wrongly convicted, compared to the hundreds that have been killed due to a lack of deterrent. So I say to you, Mr and Mrs Blinkered of Blinkered town "a small price to pay when you do the maths".
PaulR, Paris,
These two men were studying avian flu. Over 80 of the world's top researchers investigating avian flu and infectious diseases have been murdered in the last 4 years. What did the killers find on the laptop which brought them back to do these deeds?
Dimitri, New York, USA
That's true Mr social worker, but if there was a death penalty, you don't get repeat offenders, AND they don't commit further crimes whilst on bail
Rob Bain, Derby,
Nor do you get the opportunity to correct mistakes in the judicial system when the wrong person is convicted!
Mark, Wycombe, ENGLAND
I'll tell the Police why they did it, they knew they could get away with it or at worst get a slap on the wrist.
dave, london, uk
That amount of stabblings...
Lot of hate there.
It might be a passional crime...
Pedro, Cordoba (Spain),
Hmm Mr R, waco USA - I'm sure the people burnt alive with their cult would not agree with you. I do not believe that people who infringe on someone else's personal rights (the right to live, for example) so be permitted to retain their own. Our criminals have more rights than their victims.
TR, Jersey, UK
as if the death penalty is any type of deterrent for someone that has the urge to kill...
Adam Hunt, London, UK
That's true Mr social worker, but if there was a death penalty, you don't get repeat offenders, AND they don't commit further crimes whilst on bail ( re:recent murd/rape by bailed crim
Rob Bain, Derby,
This was truly dreadful. But how on earth could it have been one killer, or even two, against the two fit and normal young men?
gerry, exeter, england
Remember - if these two scientists had successfully defended themselves they would have been prosecuted. Don't try to pretend otherwise.
Jerome, London, UK
A British student was killed in Italy just a year ago. You cannot blame a country or a city for individual murders.These are sad stories but are also things that happen all around the globe. I used to live in London and I can assure you that is way safer than some cities we have in Southern Italy
Horace, Firenze (Florence), Italy
It may be that the levels of violent crime in London are not bad compared to some other places but what concerns me more is how quickly knife crime has become a daily occurance and a frightening part of the 'culture.' It never used to be this way.
Miriam Pensa, Villebois Lavalette, France
This killing is a completely seperate issue from teenage knife crime and general London safety. This was done by psychopaths with intent to torture, not 17 year olds with flick knives and a short fuse. Nor would CCTV or the death penalty have prevented it.
Those poor guys.
jo, London,
Oh please. London and England is still one of the safest places to live in, in the world. If you really want to know violence, random killings and what it's really like to live in fear 24/7, then move to Johannesburg. If the hijackers, rapists, burglars, etc don't kill you, the drunk drivers will.
Michelle, Johannesburg,
Very few people are born disturbed. Blaming the government for not keeping people safe isn't the answer either. We need to take a long hard look at the individuals responsible for shaping who children become... fix this, and you solve most of the worlds problems with both violence and intolerence.
Joshua, London, UK
I left england in 2002 to live in the usa. I've been back to england once, for 5 days to visit family and in that time some youths attempted to attack me after I had been catching up with old friends at a local pub. I'm so glad I don't live there any more. I have never found any trouble in the USA.
R, waco, usa
death penalty would help. you can't impose discipline with carrots alone.
david, london,
Condolences to the families. London is a hysterically out of control place and the government need to justify their existence by providing security for the citizenry soon. If New York could do it, why can't London ? IMHO, because it is still crippled by outdated witless socialist ideology.
John, Islington, UK
Carol from Cheshire, as if the death penalty is any type of deterrent for someone that has the urge to kill...
Adam Hunt, London, UK
England, and London in particular has become a very nasty place. Thankfully I left England in the 90s, but even then I was alarmed by the level of anger and rage one encountered on a daily basis. What is the source of this rage? Could it be that England has become a has-been nation?
J. Howley, Dublin, Rep. of Ireland
Teetering on the edge between insanity and reason CCTV cameras everywhere and hidden used to catch violent criminals after the fact would prevent brutal criminals from hiding in most cases. There are of course exceptions and unusual circumstances ie crowded areas, radiological attacks etc..
Hal, Kentishtown,
I offer my sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. I am ashamed to think my country's capital city plays host to something so atrocious and sad as this, and can only hope that people take notice. Then an improvement in London might be possible.
Adam, Oxford,
The government is failing disgracefully in its prime duty of keeping citizens safe. As a deterrent, to protect the innocent the death penalty should be reinstated. No one need suffer it if they do not hurt others. As society has been more understanding and kinder to criminals killings have increased
Carol, Cheshire, UK